Mike Smith, better known to OBX locals and visitors as Moose on the Beach 104.7‘s morning radio show Moose & Jody, shares his story of why he chose to give to support Outer Banks Forever and his OBX national parks.
I first visited the Outer Banks with my parents as a very young child in 1964. My favorite vacation memory, however, is June 1999.
I had just completed private pilot training in Chesapeake, Virginia. My first flight as a private pilot was to First Flight Airport (KFFA) at Wright Brothers National Memorial and a second stop at Billy Mitchell Airport (KHSE) on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse move was about halfway done and was quite a sight from the air. It was a beautiful day, and I was not alone in the air around the lighthouse as several other aircraft were circling the area.
Now, I call the Outer Banks home. We are so fortunate to have three historic and beautiful parks on the Outer Banks! All of them are quite unique, yet there are many people who take them for granted. I know so many people who have never visited their Outer Banks national parks, or haven’t visited them for years. These three parks add to the charm that defines the Outer Banks.
Our parks are steeped with history – they each have many stories to tell. They protect lands sacred not only to Americans but to all people. They protect these special places while allowing access for all to enjoy. From an economic standpoint, they are also a great source of tourism dollars for the region.
I believe our three national parks—Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Wright Brothers National Memorial and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site—are such treasures, worthy of support from all of us.
As an Outer Banks Forever founding Board member and as a Forever Founder, I hope to get people interested in visiting and supporting our three OBX national parks. They preserve the history and beauty of our special place and I hope you will choose to support them today.
Forever Founders are people just like you who want to invest in protecting and enhancing your OBX national parks. You can become a Forever Founder and receive special lifetime benefits by giving a gift today of $1,000 or more as a one-time gift, or a monthly gift of $85/month for the next year. Click here to learn more.